14 DAY TRIAL // Yesterday, Apple’s online store officially introduced the newest version of Apple’s operating system, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The company encourages visitors of its store to pre-order the next-gen software so they can have it delivered on debut. The same page lists all the enhancements and refinements coming with Snow Leopard, touting OS X 10.6 as “the world's most advanced operating system.”
“Upgrade from Mac OS X Leopard with Snow Leopard, a simpler, more powerful, and more refined version of Mac OS X,” Apple says on the web store. “It delivers a wide range of enhancements, next-generation technologies, out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange Server, and new accessibility features. It's the world's most advanced operating system, finely tuned from installation to shutdown [...] With Snow Leopard, iLife ’09, and iWork ’09 all in one box, the Mac Box Set is the best way to upgrade your Mac experience, especially if you’re still using Mac OS X Tiger.”
The Mac maker asks visitors to note that Snow Leopard is an upgrade for Leopard users. Also, a Mac with an Intel processor is required to run the 64-bit OS. “Snow Leopard enhances your entire Mac experience. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use,” Apple adds. An overview of the OS shows the following main features:
- Activate Exposé right from the Dock; - Wake from sleep and shut down your Mac faster than before; - Install it more quickly and get back 7GB of disk space; - Enjoy dozens more refinements for everything from iChat to Preview and more.
Of course, this is nothing compared to the next-generation technologies employed by Snow Leopard, as well as support for Microsoft Exchange (out of the box), and refined Mac apps like QuickTime X. Apple also posts imagery to exemplify these new features and enhancements.
Upon purchasing a retail copy of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Apple says, customers receive the installation DVD, as well as printed documentation (electronic documentation is available on the installation disc itself). Requirements call not only for a Mac with an Intel processor, but also a minimum 1GB of memory, 5GB of available disk space, and a DVD drive for installation. An Internet connection and a MobileMe account are also required for a number of extra features.
Readers can visit Apple’s website here to learn more about Snow Leopard, or go directly to the company’s web store to secure their own copy of the software.